Bill Worrell, "trying to pass it between Martin and Ariza is like trying to swim through a fishing net."....something like that haha. Does anyone know what the lineup will look like tonight? I hope Martin and Ariza get the start and Battier moves to sixth man.
I'm so sick of people kneejerking and saying, "Kevin Martin sucks." I think he had a shaky, but overall solid debut. Yes, his shooting percentage was low, but he got to the line quite a few times (and he would have more if some fouls that should have been called were called, particularly earlier on in the game). He can DRIVE and create a shot for himself, not something our Rox are exactly excelling at right now. His defense was better than I expected, and he had three steals. Once he gets more comfortable playing with the team, I think he's going to be money. I can't believe how many people think we are worse off for this trade. T-mac was never going to get the minutes he wanted here, and while I would have liked to have seen him play a few more games for Houston, he just wasn't a good fit. We are better off without him (if only for team chemistry), and he's better off with the Knicks. I am NOT saying T-mac sucks or that he didn't have the juice left in him, I am just saying that things are better the way they are. Also, while he had a great debut with the Knicks last night, while I hope it doesn't happen, I have doubts as to whether his body can keep up.
I fully expect a W today in New Orleans. I personally think that Martin will feel more comfortable if he starts the game. He looked to me that after 1 or 2 practices that refresh his memory on some of the plays he'll fit right in, and the team won't skip a beat. I would like to see J. Hill or Jeffries play some for Scola because he played his heart out last night, and will probably be tired. I think Kevin will go 7-14/7-16 tonight for about 20-22 points in a victory for the Rockets. We'll see where the "Kevin Martin sucks" people are then. BTW the Knicks LOSSED people!! If Kevin Martin scored 60 points yesterday and we got a loss it wouldn't have mattered. T-Mac's 26 was irrelevant!
What I like about Martin is that he is not a ball stopper. Almost without exception last night, he would make a quick decision: - pass to the open man (assists to Buddinger for 3 stood out in my mind) - catch and drive (without multiple dribbles or massaging the ball) - catch, dribble and shoot - catch and shoot (or pump fake the bejeeezus out of the defender and get to the line). He moves exceptionally w/o the ball and is very "sudden" and decisive with cuts, and the subsequent move. His game reminds me of rip hamilton, except with more firepower (once his shot comes back) and better going to the hole. It's no wonder that we've been after him for years. He is exactly what Adelman wants for his offense.
One more thing - the criticisms of Martin's defense are valid. I was at the game and focused on him almost exclusively. On defense, he did not show awareness, sometimes lost track of his man, didn't show the type of effort you see from Battier/Ariza/hayes, and looks a little disinterested. Too many times I saw him flatfooted when the ball was away from his man, or when the ball was in the air. (Also, Ariza is spending wayyyyy to much time gambling for steals. He is excellent at theft, but needs to pick his spots. he can and should be an elite individual defender with his length, quickness and athleticism. That should be his challenge and role, ala Tayshaun Prince.)
Great points. His quick decision making could prove to be very valuable. His shot was off, but he seemed to make a good decision every time down the court. Shooting an open jump shot is never a bad idea no matter if you make it or miss it, he was missing last night but he was getting the shots he wanted. He was making the right passes, and was smart on his gambles on the defensive end, getting 3 steals, and not leaving his teammates hanging out to dry on D like Ariza sometimes does when he goes for a steal.
I see this same comment posted over and over and this board but not once have I seen or heard a quote from Morey, Adleman, or Alexander validating this. This is not and never was a development season. T-Mac is gone now so people can stop saying this since it was started by people on this board as an excuse as to why the Rockets would not play T-Mac. The Rockets want to win and make the playoffs every season. If this was really suppose to be a develpment season, they would've started C-Bud over Battier, they would've started Landry over Scola, would've started Anderson over Hayes
Nice little debut for KevMart. That first spin and fadeaway woke me up. I caught a game of his when I was visiting the Bay area, I guess they telecast to SF area? I think this was the year GS made that run on the Mavs(that dunk on AK47 was nasty). Anyways he was their only bright hope at the time, by the end of the game I started watching this guy and... color me a fan but I have his jersey lol. This guy is what the Rockets need at the SG, and now to cover for our less defense driven players we need a presence in the middle that can block shots.
The Rockets do want to win this season, and make the playoffs, but they know they can't win a championship this year. That is why it is a development season. If you have no chance at winning a 'ship then you let your young players play through it, and if you make the playoffs that is bonus time for them to get post-season experience.
Other than his shot not falling I loved everything about him, the way he moved off the ball, the way he passed it crisply and the way he drove in and got fouled. He is a much better fit than HWSNBN. Great trade and the team will be better next year with him, by a MILE ! DD
Disagree with slightly worse each year. The preceding defenses were ranked 2nd and 4th. The Rockets defense has gotten a lot worse this year which is odd considering it coincides with the loss of the 7-6 guy. Yao may have sucked at pick and roll defense, but I think a lot of people (including myself) have not given enough credit to how hard it is to shoot over him. Martin's defense will get "better" when he has Yao behind him. Battier and Ariza will do little to help his defense. If anything, opposing teams will be more willing to go at him because of Battier.
I dunno, I think K-Mart's defense will be alright after he has more then one day to absorb the defensive schemes and rotations the Rockets employ.
How can you negative types feel comfortable inferring as many things as you do from one game? There is something just very logically wrong about the way the case is being made against Martin.
Good analysis, I was there too and saw basically the same stuff. Dude was pressing and defensively he was a bit better then expected but I wasn't expecting Ron Ron either. Only thing i'll add is that while I agree he didn't get gun shy, in Sac Town I can remember watching games where his shot was off and he'd start driving to the hoop but tonight he was strictly an outside shooter for the most part. I think when he gets more comfortable he will begin to drive to the bucket more often, create contact and get more foul calls.
You could see he kept asking Battier and Adelman for information on where to be in the plays or defense. Martin will have his 1st practice on Tuesday I believe. It should help alot.
Martin reminds me a lot of Reggie Miller, same build and great movement with a quick shot. I was very happy with his energy and hustle on offense and hopefully Battier and Hayes can help him utilize some of that energy on defense.
I disagree, he made effort playing defense. There was a possession where he just shut Granger down. And he didn't get those three steals effortless.
